The Ghanaian ace returned to the Blues this season after a season-long loan deal at Real Madrid, but has managed just three Premier League outings so far.

The 31-year-old was a key member of Jose Mourinho’s original Chelsea side and was expected to play a significant role under the Portuguese coach this campaign, but a series of injury problems over the course of the past few years have seen his powers dwindle.

As a result ‘The Special One’ is unlikely to block a switch away from London for Essien, and his agent, Fabian Piveteau, says that interest in the enforcer is high: